SEPTEMBER 9, 2013

Rumours that Renault to woo Alonso to Lotus?

As the formula one paddock emptied at Monza, one rumour had moved into the realm of fact -- Kimi Raikkonen is returning to Ferrari in 2014.

The news was being confidently reported by broadcasters, including Germany's RTL, the major daily Bild, and even perhaps the most respected correspondent in the paddock, Auto Motor und Sport's Michael Schmidt.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo will reportedly inform Felipe Massa that his services are no longer required in a personal meeting at Maranello on Wednesday.

It would go some way to explaining the Italian team's current 'number 1' driver Fernando Alonso's foul mood and outbursts of recent days and weeks.

Bild reported that the long delay in the actual signing of Raikkonen's deal is because part of his management team, David Robertson, is in hospital in the US with cancer.

In the meantime, Spaniard Alonso has pushed hard for the status-quo, openly arguing that Massa should stay put. He has not won the day.

Der Spiegel claims to even know who will pay Raikkonen's approximately EUR 20 million salary -- partly the Alonso-linked Spanish bank Santander, and partly team sponsor Shell.

"Let's see what happens," Massa told the Italian broadcaster Rai on Sunday.

"Yes, this race was important for my future, but it doesn't mean that my only future can be (wearing) red."

He is also quoted by O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper: "He (Montezemolo) will not announce anything without talking to me, for sure.